FAA eyes cuts at airports, including Tuscaloosa’s

Staff report

Published: Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, February 22, 2013 at 11:41 p.m.

The Federal Aviation Administration is considering massive furloughs and the closure of air traffic control facilities at Tuscaloosa Regional Airport and more than 100 others as fallout from the federal budget sequestration due to take effect March 1.

The FAA announced the action Friday as part of a plan to cut $600 million from its budget for the remainder of the 2013 fiscal year.

“Among the changes we are considering are furloughing the vast majority of our 47,000 employees for approximately one day per pay period, closing over 100 air traffic control facilities, eliminating the overnight shift at over 60 facilities and reducing preventative maintenance and support for all air traffic control equipment,” the agency announced in a press release.

Also on the potential hit list are Dothan Regional and Mobile Downtown airports.

The agency will begin furloughs and facility shutdowns in April, the release said.

The FAA action is part of the fallout from the ongoing fiscal stalemate between Democrats and Republicans in Washington.

Absent a deal between the two parties, across-the-board cuts of $85 billion are due to kick in March 1.

Officials at Tuscaloosa Regional could not be reached for comment Friday night.

<p>The Federal Aviation Administration is considering massive furloughs and the closure of air traffic control facilities at Tuscaloosa Regional Airport and more than 100 others as fallout from the federal budget sequestration due to take effect March 1.</p><p>The FAA announced the action Friday as part of a plan to cut $600 million from its budget for the remainder of the 2013 fiscal year.</p><p>“Among the changes we are considering are furloughing the vast majority of our 47,000 employees for approximately one day per pay period, closing over 100 air traffic control facilities, eliminating the overnight shift at over 60 facilities and reducing preventative maintenance and support for all air traffic control equipment,” the agency announced in a press release.</p><p>Also on the potential hit list are Dothan Regional and Mobile Downtown airports.</p><p>The agency will begin furloughs and facility shutdowns in April, the release said.</p><p>The FAA action is part of the fallout from the ongoing fiscal stalemate between Democrats and Republicans in Washington.</p><p>Absent a deal between the two parties, across-the-board cuts of $85 billion are due to kick in March 1.</p><p>Officials at Tuscaloosa Regional could not be reached for comment Friday night.</p>